Don't limit the problems of Kandura Tamil people to daily wages.There is no need for MoUs to solve people's problems-Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman.

Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Mr. Jeevan Thondaman said that the problems faced by the Tamil people in Kandura should not be limited to daily wages and to raise their standard of living, attention should be paid to all areas such as housing, land, education, health and infrastructure.

The Minister also mentioned that although some political parties have signed MoUs claiming that Kandura is to solve the problems of the Tamil people, MoUs are not necessary to solve the real problems of the people.

Mr. Jeevan Thondaman, Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, expressed these views while joining the press conference held at the Presidential Media Center today (26) under the theme "One way for a stable country".

The minister said that there is no expectation of an increase in water charges this year and added that the introduction of the proposed water formula will be done in a manner that will not cause distress to the people.

Mr. Jeevan Thondaman, who gave further comments, also said,

“We do not expect to increase water charges this year. The preparation of the water tariff formula that we announced to introduce last year has been completed. But we are still studying the prepared water formula. We do not expect to impose an unnecessary burden on the people through the Jal Sutra.

Some political parties have even signed MoUs to solve the problems of the Tamil people in Kandura. Kandura does not need MoUs to solve the real problems of the Tamil people. Kandura Tamil people have seen such shows for a long time. What is needed now is to put the given words into action. We are dedicated to that.

According to some political leaders, the only problem faced by the Tamil people in the plantation is getting Rs.1500.00 as daily wages. I don't want to put my people down like that. It is the position of President Ranil Wickramasinghe that regardless of the political position of the government or the opposition or any group, there should not be political divisions in solving the problems of a minority. That is my position as well. We should work together for the development of that community. President Ranil Wickramasinghe has invited them to unite in this way on several occasions, but unfortunately many people are working within narrow political boundaries.

In 2015, it was proposed to build a total of 24,000 houses for the Tamil people in Kandura with 14,000 houses under Indian loan assistance and 10,000 houses by the Sri Lankan government. By the year 2022, due to the Covid-19 epidemic and the economic crisis, the construction of these houses was completely stopped. At that time only 1560 houses had been built by the Sri Lankan government. We were able to start this new 10,000 house project because we were able to complete the work on the 4,000 house project that the Government of India had previously given. Not only houses but also land rights should be given to these people. The hill Tamils have been suffering from many widespread problems for a long time. They have many unsolved problems such as their housing problem, land problem, education, health and other infrastructural facilities.

It has become the position of President Ranil Wickramasinghe and myself that sustainable solutions should be provided for these problems. We are working for that."

PMD